Inverse Phase-Transfer Catalysis by Cyclodextrins. Palladium-Catalyzed Reduction of Bromoanisoles with Sodium Formate

Bromoanisoles have been reduced to hydrocarbons with sodium formate in high yields under mild conditions using palladium on charcoal and cyclodextrins as catalysts. In aqueous phase-organic phase reactions employing a solid-phase catalyst (Pd/C), cyclodextrins function as inverse phase-transfer catalysts which transfer the substrate into the aqueous phase.